AMD Radeon HD 8870M
AMD Radeon HD 8870M: An Outdated Warrior of Mobile Graphics. Is it Worth Considering in 2025?
Introduction
The AMD Radeon HD 8870M is a mobile graphics card released in 2013, based on the GCN (Graphics Core Next) architecture. Despite its venerable age, it can still be found in older laptops and on the second-hand market. By 2025, its relevance is close to zero, but it may still serve as a temporary solution for specific scenarios. Let’s explore who might benefit from this GPU today and why.
Architecture and Key Features
Architecture: The HD 8870M is built on the first generation of GCN (Graphics Core Next 1.0). This was a revolutionary architecture for its time, providing support for DirectX 11.2 and OpenGL 4.2.
Process Technology: The 28 nm process was the standard for 2012–2014, but in 2025, it's a "dinosaur." In comparison, modern GPUs from AMD and NVIDIA use 5–7 nm processes.
Features:
- Mantle API — a predecessor to Vulkan, which accelerated rendering in games like Battlefield 4.
- ZeroCore Power — a power-saving mode for laptops.
- Eyefinity — support for multi-monitor configurations (up to 4 displays).
Lack of Modern Technologies:
- No hardware ray tracing (RTX/DXR).
- Does not support FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) or equivalents to DLSS.
- OpenCL 1.2 instead of the current version 3.0.
Memory: Modest Specifications
Type and Size: 2 GB of GDDR5 is the minimum amount even for games from 2015. By 2025, this is insufficient for modern applications. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 requires at least 4 GB of VRAM.
Bus and Bandwidth: A 128-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 64 GB/s. In comparison, modern mobile GPUs with GDDR6 (e.g., NVIDIA RTX 4050) achieve 192–288 GB/s.
Impact on Performance: Even in older projects like The Witcher 3, 2 GB of memory becomes a bottleneck — textures have to be lowered to medium or low settings.
Gaming Performance: Only Retro Gaming
Average FPS in Popular Games (on low/medium settings, 1080p):
- CS:GO — 60–80 FPS.
- GTA V — 30–40 FPS.
- Overwatch — 45–55 FPS.
- Skyrim — 50–60 FPS.
Higher Resolutions than 1080p: Not recommended — even 1440p results in FPS dropping below 30 in most games.
Ray Tracing: No hardware support. Software solutions (e.g., via DirectX Raytracing) are impractical due to low computational power.
Professional Tasks: Limited Applicability
Video Editing:
- In Adobe Premiere Pro, rendering 1080p video will take 3–4 times longer than on a modern Radeon RX 7600M.
- No support for hardware encoding of AV1 or HEVC.
3D Modeling:
- Blender Cycles works via OpenCL, but rendering speeds are 5–7 times lower compared to GPUs with RDNA 3 architecture.
Scientific Calculations:
- Support for OpenCL 1.2 limits compatibility with modern libraries.
Power Consumption and Heat Generation
TDP: 45–65 W — modest for a mobile card, but the efficiency is lower than modern counterparts. For instance, the Radeon RX 7600S (2024) offers 4–5 times more performance at a TDP of 65 W.
Cooling:
- Requires a system with 2–3 heat pipes and a fan.
- Older laptops often experience overheating (up to 90°C under load) due to worn thermal paste.
Recommendations:
- Regular cleaning of the cooler and replacement of thermal paste.
- Use of a cooling pad for the laptop.
Comparison with Competitors
Analogues from 2013–2014:
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M: About 10–15% faster in DirectX 11, but worse in OpenCL tasks.
- AMD Radeon HD 8970M: The flagship of the lineup, 20–25% more powerful than the HD 8870M.
Modern Budget Solutions (2025):
- AMD Radeon RX 740M (RDNA 3): 3 times higher FPS in games, FSR 3.0 support.
- Intel Arc A350M: Better at video encoding and new APIs.
Practical Advice
Power Supply: A standard 90–120 W adapter is sufficient for a laptop with an HD 8870M.
Compatibility:
- Support for Windows 10/11 is limited — drivers have not been updated since 2018.
- In Linux, it is recommended to use the open-source AMDGPU driver.
Drivers:
- Official drivers are available only up to Adrenalin version 18.9.3.
- There may be issues running games on DirectX 12 (e.g., Halo Infinite).
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low price in the second-hand market ($30–50).
- Suitable for basic tasks: office work, web surfing, retro gaming.
Cons:
- Does not support modern APIs and technologies.
- Limited memory capacity.
- High risk of overheating in older devices.
Final Conclusion: Who is the HD 8870M Suitable For?
This graphics card is a choice for:
1. Owners of Old Laptops looking to extend their lifespan for document work or video viewing.
2. Retro Gaming Enthusiasts ready to play 2010s titles on low settings.
3. IT Specialists repairing equipment and testing legacy systems.
Alternative: If the budget allows for $200–300, consider new budget GPUs — for instance, the Radeon RX 740M or Intel Arc A380M. These will provide support for modern technologies and future-proofing.
The HD 8870M in 2025 is a museum piece, not a tool for serious tasks. However, for niche scenarios, it may still be useful.